Japan's overseas TV unit named in influence-buying

May 15, 1980

By WITH ANALYSIS FROM MONITOR CORRESPONDENTS AROUND THE WORLD

EDITED BY DEBRA K. PIOT

Tokyo

Japan's overseas telecommunications monopoly has indulged in largescale buying of political influence, according to Kazumi Nakahira, director general of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, who spoke before a Lower House parliamentary committee Wednesday. The Kokusai Denshin Denwa spent $25 million between April 1976 and September 1979, mainly on entertainment and gifts for clients and politicians. Two of its employees have committed suicide since the scandal became public and two former senior officials have been charged with embezzlement and other offenses.